It's no secret that BMW has aspirations to move into the compact premium FWD car market, having recently debuted its BMW Concept Active Tourer (which will launch as a production model next year). BMW believes that its new FWD architecture, known as the UKL platform (which will be shared with future MINI models), will be key to driving the company's future growth.

The company projects that the premium small car market will become the fastest-growing segment and it needs to expand aggressively into this market in order to battle for the top spot in luxury car sales over the next decade.

Up to 20 New Models Proposed

So just how expansive will BMW's FWD lineup be? According to some recent reports, very extensive.

Frank Niederlaender, the company's product manager for front-wheel drive, says in an interview with Automotive News Europe, that up to 12 BMW and Mini cars [already approved], accounting for 40 percent of the group's unit sales, will be underpinned by the platform, or variations of it, within eight to 10 years. Europe will be the main market for BMW FWD cars.

"We've got plans to produce up to 20 new models on this platform. Not all of them have been approved yet – we’ve got approval on 10-12 new models," confirms Ian Robertson, member of the board of management at BMW.

Europe is leading a global trend where customers are downsizing to smaller models, both because they have less cash to spend and because regulators are introducing tougher CO2 emission limits. But Niederlaender sees opportunities in other major markets. "We are seeing growing acceptance of smaller premium cars in the U.S. and China," he said. In the United States, customers may choose a FWD BMW as a secondary household vehicle, he said.

Klaus Draeger, BMW's head of purchasing, who helped create the UKL architecture during his tenure as the company's R&D boss, said the FWD platform will be used for a wide variety of smaller BMWs and Minis. "There will be several options for different wheel bases and widths of upcoming models.

Limited to Models Below 3 Series

"With one model family, we can do a typical front-wheel hatchback, a larger hatchback, or a small SUV. We can use that architecture not only for the Mini but also for other BMW products that are a little bit bigger and higher and more spacious with a bigger interior." He said BMW's larger vehicles from the 3 series and upward will remain rear-wheel drive. "These are powerful cars so I really don't see a front-wheel-drive model in this segment as being as successful," Draeger added.

Breaking with RWD Tradition

As for the doubters and traditionalists who fear and lament over BMW's expansion into the FWD market, BMW's product manager for front-wheel drive, Frank Niederlaender, assures: "In the '90s we broke with tradition when we began selling SUVs along with our sedans. Customers realized they could get the driving dynamics BMW is renowned for from an SUV. We will see the same transition happening with front-wheel drive."

Draeger adds that by 2020 the automaker expects to have a huge share in fwd models. "We are entering into new segments and are getting new customers who will learn you can drive very well with front-wheel drive."

Pretty much goes with the notion of why BMW is diluting the M badge with M Performance cars. No surprise here. It's tough being No. 1, you've got to keep finding ways to keep that position no matter what - at times, at the expense of who you once were. As long as they keep producing M cars that aren't diluted themselves, we enthusiasts will be satisfied (at least some of us will

Pleeeeeease don't let them make the 2-series FWD. So help me, I'll buy a fucking BRZ.

It would be a shame if the 2-Series (formally current generation 1-Series) became FWD. I think the success of the E82/1M was because it was true to BMW of old, that is, it had a straight-six, manual transmission and RWD, it was basically as close to an E46 3-Series than the E90 3-Series. Sure there is some fun to be had with a FWD that is relatively small (MINI) but will it be to the same degree as if it were RWD? Likely not.

Here's hoping the FWD chassis sticks with the next-gen 1-Series only. With the 3-Series becoming bigger and softer, those that require a more of a driver's car need an alternative and the 2-Series might be it if it follows the E82 1-Series.

By 2020. BMW hope to have projected sales of over two million units.
The larger majority of this level of sales will be combined MINI/BMW based upon the UKL architecture of around 600,000 units , then you can factor in another large number of dedicated SAV sales before we get to the regular series models. As I have said before welcome to the automobile industry.

It is easy for the question "if I was in charge this what I would do?"
But today you have to take in consideration of growing segments , established segments , established markets , new markets and exploiting new niche's. Something BMW is well adapt in.

The rise of the compact premium car is effectively down to current situations. Why are mainstream volume manufacturers struggling in europe when Premium compact cars from Premium manufacturers are creating growth? Nearly twenty years ago we something similar in the executive side of the market , Premium manufacturers wiped out mainstream manufacturers market share practically overnight.
Potentially a similar act can happen again.

MINI currently has a razor-thin profit margin on the standard car , where BMW makes its money with MINI is in the purchase of specific packages and extended personalisation. The next MINI launched next summer will not only help MINI make money off of personalisation , but the car will become more profitable for the first time in its life span. Modern car making is now down to cost and sharing modular architecture provides a cost-effective option.

Individuality is the key to distinguish the BMW from the MINI. Which is why the BMW Active Tourer Concept and its sister car the MINI Traveller which will be seen very soon are effectively the same car but you will never know it everything that should be BMW is BMW and everything that is MINI is MINI.
From the design , switchear and even how the car acts the brief was always about distinguishing one brand from another.
If you take the example here. The artist understands the DNA aspect and that a 3dr and 5dr hatch will be coming to rival the Audi A1. That car is derived from the Active Tourer but his its own appearance that benefits its premium entry status. with the proprtions shrunk this render minus the front shows the outline and surfacing of the hatch and it is just not a MINI re-badged with a BMW badge.

To provide greater economies of scale A FWD BMW sedan will become part of the new BMW FWD family. Expanding BMW's entry sporthatch to include a sedan variant aimed at markets for rising sales of small sedans.
As BMW announced lately that up to 11 models could appear from BMW on the UKL architecture with MINI, providing better profits and increased global sales for the small cars division.

So far the BMW/MINI UKL family stands as...

BMW 1er Urbanic Compact 3/5dr - Upcoming City hatch based on next MINI, BMW's Audi A1 rival.
MINI 3/5dr - Increased demand leads to the next generation MINI due next year with five drs for the 1st time.

BMW 1er Active Tourer - Production version of Active Tourer Concept launched at Iaa 2013.
MINI Traveller - MINI variant of the Active Tourer. Designed to show how both cars can co-exist with individual style and flexibility.

BMW 1er Urbanic Roadster - BMW's open top variant of the City car inherits two seats only with a rear deck with layed butresses like the BMW 6er Cabrio and BMW i8 designed for clip on roof panel.
MINI Cabrio - Latest F56 rendition of the popular open top MINI.

BMW Z1 Sportster - To provide greater economies of scale The Z1 will be BMW's equivalent to the MINI Coupe and Roadster , but will be FWD and powered by more powerful three cylinder engines. Design derived from well-received 2011 Vision ConnectedDrive concept car.
MINI Roadster - Next Roadster and Coupe will launch with a sportier look which is completely seperate from the standard MINI. MINI design elements will feature but bodywork is not based on the hatch family.

BMW Z1 SportCoupe - Coupe version of the Z1 will complete the BMW Z twins against the MINI twins.
MINI Coupe - Coupe version of Roadster , more individual in appearance.

BMW X1 - Next generation of highly successful SAV moves to the UKL architecture to offer more flexibility.
Also available with xDrive.
MINI Countryman - Next generation of the global MINI juggernaut. heavily shared with BMW X1.

BMW X2 - Sport Activity Coupe variant of the next BMW X1 , FWD with optional xDrive and the first BMW SAC to appear as both a 3dr and 5dr.
MINI Paceman/XL - Next generation of new MINI member will be offered with five dr version as well as 3dr.

BMW M2 Coupe - Successor to the BMW 1er M Coupe continues the same formula that made the last car be memorable, no huge competitor in the HP race , four cylinder will bring less weight , which matter most as does more enjoyment and overall feel is considered to be more of a priority than who has the biggest numbers.
BMW M2 Gran Coupe - Baby Coupe inherits a four door brother - 340 HP , Four doors and RWD , Direct competitor to the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG.

I love the idea of the M2. I guess I'm going to have to wait another 4 or 5 yrs to get one. So meanwhile I'll enjoy my motorcycle and wait for the M2. Because the new M cars are getting to large for my taste. But I totally understand why they are doing it. If I own the company, I'll probably be doing the same thing. But good thing their bring small models or at least close to the E46 size.

Oh and hopefully, which I thought they'll make the up coming M2 limited production like the 1M. Which alot of fans were left whiching for one like me.

So RWD 1-series (F20/F21) will end in 2017.
And M2 coupe will have a 4 cylinder.

Any info about how long the RWD 2-series will live. And will that series turn into FWD too? I hope not!

I would guess the 2 series coupe would stay RWD, especially if this new segment with the Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes CLA catches on because BMW would want a RWD M2 to take on the CLA45 AMG and S3/RS3. Going to FWD would eliminate the M2's biggest advantage over the other two which use FWD-based Haldex AWD systems (anyone who has driven an R32 should know why this is not nearly as awesome as a true AWD system can be, you can also drive an S3 and an S4 back to back and see the big difference in handling).

So I guess all that stuff about 50/50 weight balance for great driving dynamics and safety BMW has been touting for the past 45 years or so was all just a bunch of f'ing bullshit. I wonder where they'll put the Battery now.

Hey BMW, if you want to become mainstream like GM, Toyota, Ford, et.al., then start selling cars that are LESS EXPENSIVE and cheaper to repair (and don't have $1,200 waterpump replacement costs).

Any info about how long the RWD 2-series will live. And will that series turn into FWD too? I hope not!

I would assume that to mean that the next generation of the 2-series (based on the 2017+ FWD 1-series platform) will likely be FWD as well. That's a real shame, as it means BMW will no longer make a small RWD car. BMW's smallest RWD platform going forward (no pun intended) is going to be the successor to the F30? The F30 is already a mid-size car, and its successor is only going to get longer. Why is BMW walking away from the market that wants small, capable, RWD cars?

I think the 1er sedan will rather take the 1er hatch's front, although the hood mught be shorter and the cabin longer, which is allowed by FWD vs RWD.

As for the 1er Urbanic City, I remember Scott26 once said that it would get headlights with only 1 angel eye corona in each headlight, like on the i3. I guess it will ultimately come out as something between this and this :